Laurel Lyda of Fair Oaks, a teacher with the San Juan Unified School District, was recently honored by the cable industry for her demonstrated commitment to improving education in her community.
Lyda is one of 44 nationwide finalists, including classroom educators, administrators, college faculty and community leaders, selected for the 2008 national Cable's Leaders in Learning Award.
Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards, administered by Cable in the Classroom, recognize administrators, educators and community leaders who demonstrate vision, innovation, action and transformation in education in and out of the classroom.
The objective of the awards is to promote and encourage innovative learning practices affecting children from preschool through high school across communities nationwide.
Lyda, currently on special assignment with the district, was recognized in the category of Pushing the Envelope with Cable Technology and Programming for San Juan Curriculum Connections. In partnership with the Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium, Curriculum Connections delivers 30 live staff development training programs via cable television to the San Juan Unified School District's 2,500 teachers.
"Lyda's efforts are a prime example of the sorts of educational innovation the cable industry is proud to honor. Cable has contributed substantial educational content and connectivity for use by thousands of our nation's schools, and it's good to acknowledge the results of the investment through the highly competitive Leaders in Learning program," said Doug Levin, senior education policy director for Cable in the Classroom.
In a press release, Lyda said, "Since the beginning of the project, we have presented more than 80 hours of professional development on a wide variety of topics such as technology integration, special education, classroom management and English language learners. This program has allowed us to reach a wider audience and provide teachers with a way to use technology to improve their own teaching."
The competition is open to any individual, including policymakers, educators, administrators and community leaders, working in U.S. communities or schools who can demonstrate that his or her innovative practices or policies have had a positive impact on education. Finalists are selected in the categories of General Excellence, Media Literacy Education, Cable Partnerships for Learning and Pushing the Envelope.
Winners, selected from the finalists, will receive $3,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., in June, for several days of celebration and networking, culminating with the awards ceremony and gala to be held at the Library of Congress, attended by members of Congress, cable executives, and national education leaders.
For more information on Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards program, go to www.leadersinlearningawards.org.
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If you know someone who deserves recognition, please contact Lil Douglas by phone at (916) 608-7445, by e-mail at ldouglas@sacbee.com or by fax at (916) 985-8473.
